Boatnerd Discussion Forum

Photographing is a lot of fun and can be a risky adventure depending on the locale. Unfortunately, the best spots to view and photograph the ‘Boats’ are by their very nature – usually isolated and lonely locations. Urban areas have their own set of dangers - rural and remote country locations have theirs. You should always have a common sense plan that fits the situation. Get the ‘lay of the land’ before you park your vehicle - Park where exiting the area won’t be problematic - Make sure you can get back to your car quickly if needed, keep it with-in sight if possible - Leave the gadget bag in the car - and think twice about using that new 400mm lens - Have your camera set-up and ready to go before you exit your vehicle - Don’t use camera straps with logos and fancy names on them, get a simple black strap - Keep your equipment concealed as much as possible, carry it low and at your side – Always remain aware of your surroundings–don’t concentrate on the photo so much that you don’t see a dangerous situation developing.- Be low key, get in, take your shots, get out and move on.

Thanks RDD, thats great info! I'll have to take the tour you describe. I just noticed the Robert Pierson is on the north side of Zug. Looks like it would be tricky to navigate up there!

My daughter and I have made a downriver trip quite a few times the last 10-12 years starting in downtown Detroit. Both on weekends and weekdays. We are both civil engineers and like to see the heavy industrial and industrial archelogy.
Take Fort St south to West Grand Blvd down to the Westcott dock next to the Ambassador Bridge. . We have stopped to visit there. They have the ship schedule with ETS’s on the wall.
South of there on Jefferson Ave is Fort Wayne. Springwell Drive off Jefferson at the end overlooks Zug Island. We have seen ships unloading on the north side of Zug. The Marathon Refinery and Detroit Salt are west of I-75. South of Belanger Park is Nicholson Dock and Terminal. The street that parallels the RR tracks is where you can see the “bottle trains” (molten steel) between the US Steel plants.
If you have a smart phone you can have the street map to help you navigate. Stay on public streets and don't pass any “No Trespassing” signs. When we first started our visits, there were lots of burned out houses in the Detroit City itself. Now, it’s mostly vacant lots with were few houses and residents. Once you cross the Rouge River, you are in River Rouge and things are better.
You mention the park near St Mary’s Cement. You look on google earth satellite view and you will see the vacant lots I mentioned. If you’re a young white Caucasian, you will stick out like a sore thumb. I wouldn’t hang out there especially not alone. I’d try the Wescott if they still allow visitors. Plus they have the latest info from the boats. If the weather is nice, you can bring a chair and sit under the trees on the lawn overlooking the river.
We have never felt unsafe or threatened in these areas. As with any urban metropolitan area, one must be aware of their surroundings. You’re best off going with another person but that applies most places.

Great, thanks for the info! I see a park near St Mary's Cement on google maps but something tells me that may not be a good idea! At any rate, the Jackson anchored today so I didn't haunt the Rouge as I expected. I'd like to get some pics of the boats negotiating those bridges

There are parking areas and side streets near all three road bridges over the river and sidewalks along both sides. Each provides a unique vantage point and it's truly an experience to see one slowly passing through one of the bascule's right up close. As was said, there aren't really any other places to get up close without being on private property, and it's always smart to take a buddy along for company. Interlake should be starting a regular rotation of vessels to fulfill AK Steel's needs, and stone cargos should be moving soon too.

Jefferson st bridge is back in service... any of the bridge locations are good for viewing if you know the vessel arrival time, but the rest of the river is hard to access, mostly off limits industrial sites. the area is not the safest so use care.

Hello,
I'd like to make a trip to the Rouge River to catch one of the boats coming up the river, can anyone recommend any decent spots to watch from? Also not sure if the Jefferson bridge is back in service?

Thanks!